Gripper for a tufting machine

Abstract

A gripper ( 3 ) for a tufting machine comprises a gripper body ( 9 ) having a cutout ( 22 ) for a cutting insert ( 10 ), said cutting insert preferably consisting of a hard metal. Connecting means acting in a form-closed manner are provided for the connection of the cutting insert ( 10 ) with the gripper body ( 9 ). In their simplest embodiment, said connecting means are formed by the deformation regions ( 37, 38 ) that are provided on the gripper body ( 9 ) and that reach around matching cutouts ( 33, 34 ) of the cutting insert ( 10 ).

1. Gripper for a tufting machine, said gripper comprising
 a gripper body with a gripper section for picking up thread loops, and 
 a cutting insert set into a recess of the gripper body and being secured in the recess in a form-closed manner; and wherein: the cutting insert consists of a body having two flat sides; said cutting insert body is provided with cutouts on at least two opposing locations; the cutting insert is secured in the recess by projections provided on the gripper body and extending into the cutouts of the cutting insert; and the projections are formed on the gripper body by deformation of the gripper body at an edge of the recess opposite the cutouts. 
 
   
   
     2. Gripper in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cutouts is limited by a surface that is oriented inclined relative to the flat sides. 
   
   
     3. Gripper in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cutting insert projects beyond the gripper body. 
   
   
     4. Gripper in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cuffing insert is a hard metal insert. 
   
   
     5. Gripper in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cuffing insert is provided with a coating of hard material. 
   
   
     6. Gripper in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the gripper body is provided with a friction-reducing coating. 
   
   
     7. Gripper in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the friction-reducing coating is a coating of synthetic material. 
   
   
     8. Gripper in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cuffing insert has the shape of an oblique angle on its cutting edge.